Dianthus  plant named ‘KLEDG15176’

ABSTRACT

A new  Dianthus  plant particularly distinguished by bi-color dark purple-pink, semi-double flowers, and an upright and bushy habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Dianthus sp.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEDG15176’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Dianthus,botanically known as Dianthus sp., and hereinafter referred to by thevariety name ‘KLEDG15176’. ‘KLEDG15176’ originated from across-combination in June 2010 between the proprietary Dianthus femaleparent ‘DSS-2009-0511’ (unpatented) and the proprietary Dianthus maleparent ‘DSS-2007-0020’ (unpatented) in Stuttgart Germany.

In July 2010 seed was collected from the cross-combination between thetwo Dianthus parental lines. The seeds were sown and plants were grownfor evaluation in Stuttgart, Germany. A single plant was selected in May2011 and was subsequently named ‘KLEDG15176’. In July 2011, ‘KLEDG15176’was first vegetatively propagated by stem and tip cuttings. ‘KLEDG15176’was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexualpropagation via cuttings.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new variety when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Bi-color dark purple-pink, semi-double flowers; and    -   2. An upright and bushy habit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

An application for Plant Breeders Rights in Canada was filed on Apr. 2,2015, Application No. 15-8574.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Dianthus plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph ofa plant approximately 8-weeks-old and grown in a glass greenhouse inStuttgart, Germany. The photograph shows the whole plant, including theflowers and foliage and buds and was taken in May 2014 in Stuttgart,Germany. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘KLEDG15176’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inStuttgart, Germany, and Latina, Italy. The Netherlands. Data wascollected on plants grown 7-months after planting and grown in agreenhouse. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5^(th) edition (2007).

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Caryophyllaceae.        -   Botanical.—Dianthus sp.        -   Common.—Pot carnation.        -   Designation.—‘KLEDG15176’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary Dianthus ‘DSS-2009-0511’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary Dianthus ‘DSS-2007-0020’            (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Propagation type.—Vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—20 days.        -   Root description.—White-cream, RHS 155D, medium thickness.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely-branching.        -   Plant form.—Upright and bushy.        -   Plant height.—15.0 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—18.0 cm.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Length.—6.0 cm to 10.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—2.0 cm.        -   Internode length.—0.5 cm to 1.0 cm.        -   Number of internodes per branch/stem.—3 to 4.        -   Node length.—0.4 cm.        -   Node diameter.—0.4 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—RHS 137A to RHS 137B.        -   Branch/stem.—Solid.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Length.—4.0 cm to 6.0 cm.        -   Width.—0.4 cm to 0.7 cm.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.        -   Immature leaf color.—Upper surface: RHS 137B. Lower surface:            RHS 137D.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface:            RHS 137D.        -   Venation pattern.—Not strong, pinnate.        -   Venation color (both surfaces).—RHS 137B.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—Round, semi-double, and continuous            flowering.        -   Fragrance.—Present, strong.        -   Natural flowering season.—Spring to autumn.        -   Position of flowers relative to the foliage.—Slightly above.        -   Number of flowers per spray.—4 to 6.        -   Flower longevity on the plant.—More than 10 days.        -   Buds.—Length: 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm to 0.7 cm.            Shape: Ovate-cylindrical. Color: RHS 137A. Extrusion of the            styles at the bud stage: Absent.        -   Corolla.—Quantity of petals and arrangement: 8 petals and            petaloids. Corolla height: 1.5 cm. Petal length: 2.5 cm.            Petal width: 1.7 cm. Petal shape: Drop-shaped. Petal apex:            Obtuse. Petal base: Peaked. Petal margin: Entire. Depth of            petal margin: Very shallow. Petal texture (both upper and            lower surfaces): Smooth. Petal color: Immature: Upper            surface: RHS 63C and RHS 59C. Lower surface: RHS 59C.            Mature: Upper surface: RHS 63C and RHS 59D. Lower surface:            RHS 59D.        -   Calyx.—Quantity of sepals and arrangement: Composed of 5            sepals. Shape: Cylindrical. Calyx height: 2.0 cm. Calyx            diameter (at the apex): 0.6 cm. Sepal texture (both upper            and lower surfaces): Smooth. Sepal color: Upper surface: RHS            137A. Lower surface: RHS 137D.-   Peduncles:    -   -   Length.—6.0 cm to 8.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.1 cm to 0.2 cm.        -   Strength.—Moderate.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—RHS 137B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Quantity per flower: Approximately 5 to 6. Filament            length: 0.6 cm. Filament color: RHS 76D. Anther length:            0.2 cm. Anther diameter: 0.08 cm. Anther color: RHS 69D.            Pollen amount: Moderate to abundant.        -   Pistils.—Quantity per flower: 1. Pistil length: 2.0 cm.            Style length: Approximately 1.5 cm. Style color: RHS 63C.            Stigma shape: Filamentous. Stigma color: RHS 59C. Ovary            size: 0.5 cm. Ovary shape: Ovate. Ovary color: RHS 142C.-   Fruit and seed set: Seed sometimes observed; additional information    on seed not available.-   Disease and pest/insect resistance: No special observations were    made.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

‘KLEDG15176’ is a distinct variety of Dianthus and is distinguished fromthe parental lines as described in Table 1

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Lines Female parent Male parentCharacteristic ‘KLEDG15176’ ‘DSS-2009-0511’ ‘DSS-2007-0020’ Growth habitMedium Strong Strong Flower color Bi-color dark Dark pink Violetpurple/pink

‘KLEDG15176’ is a distinct variety of Dianthus and is most similar tothe commercial Dianthus variety ‘KLEDG13146’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.25,877), also commercially known as EVERLAST ‘Lavender Lace’.Differences between the varieties are described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety Characteristic ‘KLEDG15176’‘KLEDG13146’ Flower type Semi-double Single Flower color Bi-color darkpurple/pink Violet-purple

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Dianthus plant named‘KLEDG15176’ as illustrated and described herein.